Abstract Bird Painting: Loose Roosters and Two Strange Bird Stories
Paint loose abstract birds over a reject with big shapes and an explore mindset, plus two strange bird stories and a lesson on following ideas.
Today I’m painting a couple of abstract birds over a reject, and sharing two of the strangest bird encounters of my life.
Start with a reject and a loose reference
I started with a reject and found a reference image that looked interesting. Nothing too complicated:
- Throw down big shapes first
- Use loose brushwork
- Play with color and see where it goes
I’m in an explore mindset. I’m not pressuring myself to paint world-class roosters. For another take on painting the same subject several ways, see the loose painting progression exercise. Want more animal ideas? Try the abstract cow paintingor the loose horse painting.
Want to Paint Loose Acrylics, Slacker? Learn the fundamentals, loosen up your brushwork, and develop your own expressive style.
Story one: Buttons the parakeet
When I was about 12 or 13, I had a parakeet named Buttons. We’d let him fly around the house sometimes. One day my mom opened his cage, then opened the back door to take out some rugs. Buttons saw his chance and flew out.
We figured he was long gone. But the next morning, a neighbor knocked and asked, “Don’t you all have a bird?” He’d heard a bird that didn’t sound like the rest, looked up in the tree, and found a parakeet. He held out his arm, Buttons flew down, and he walked him right back to us.
Somehow Buttons spent the night out there, survived, found the right neighbor, and came home.
Story two: the bird on my shoulder
At 18 or 19, I was living in Florida and cleaning carpets for one of my first real jobs. There were no cell phones then, so I had to find a pay phone to call the office after each job.
While I was on the phone, I saw a bird on the telephone wire, bigger than a parakeet, maybe a cockatiel. It saw me, flew straight at me, and landed on my shoulder. I finished the call with the bird still there, got in my car, and drove to the next job with the windows down. It never left.
I left it on the passenger seat with the windows open while I cleaned. When I came back, it was still waiting. It stayed with me all day. Eventually I brought it home, and a friend who kept birds gave it a proper home.
What birds taught me about painting
Maybe birds and I have some sort of understanding. And maybe painting is like that. Sometimes an idea gets away from you. Other times one shows up out of nowhere and refuses to leave you alone.
You don’t always need to understand it. Sometimes you just follow it, give it a place to land, and see where it takes you.
More in 10 tips for painting loose.
Learn Structure. Paint Loose.
Construct. Deconstruct. Explore. Repeat.
Abstract bird painting FAQ
How do I paint an abstract bird?
Start with big shapes for the body, add loose brushwork, and keep details minimal.
Do I need a reference photo?
It helps, but you don’t have to copy it. Use it as a starting point.
Why paint over a reject?
The old layers add texture and color, and they take the pressure off.
What if I can’t paint the subject well?
That’s the point of an explore mindset. You’re not trying to paint a perfect bird.
